Love it or hate it, concerns over fuel efficiency have begun to seriously affect all of the world’s major automakers. Even high-end brands are not immune and Porsche, with its wide range of vehicles and increasing sales, is looking at options to decrease fuel usage in some of its models.

It’s no secret that one idea Porsche has been considering is the inclusion of a new four-cylinder engine in its lineup, reports of which have been around for the past few years. Now, it’s official.

Speaking with the media recently, Porsche’s former R&D chief Wolfgang Durheimer revealed that the German automaker is building a new four-cylinder engine and that it will power the next-generation Boxster and Cayman sports car models.

Durheimer went on to say that the new engine could even see an application in the 911 but he stressed that the iconic model will remain a six-cylinder for the foreseeable future.

German specialist tuner Hamann, has just revealed its new body kit for the new generation 2011 Porsche Cayenne. Officially named the Hamann 2011 Porsche Cayenne aerodynamics package, the kit includes a new front spoiler with integrated LED daytime running lights, new side skirts, a rear bumper with an integrated diffuser and a reworked 100% carbon fibre bonnet with air scoops.

Packing out the guards are massive 23-inch alloy rims with 315/25 R 23 tyres. The ride height is lowered by 35mm and the Porsche SUV uses a modified air suspension set up.

The Hamann tweaked Cayenne Diesel recieves power upgrades as well including a re-mapped ECU that increases output to 202 kW between 4,000 and 4,400 rpm and 620 Nm of torque between 2,000 and 2,250 rpm. The standard model develops 176 kW at 4,000 – 4,400 rpm and 550 Nm at 2,000 – 2,250 rpm. To keep it sounding bold the reworked Cayenne is also fitted with a new, custom-made, exhaust system.

Pricing and availability has not been announced yet. Check out images of Hamann’s Porsche Cayenne in the gallery below.

Gallery

Most people would think that the Porsche 911 GT2 RS was already fast enough. It covers 0-100km/h in just 3.5 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 330km/h. While no one is doubting that the GT2 RS is a uncompromising performance machine there are some nutters out there that just have to go faster.

To help them out German tuner Wimmer RS has a package for the 911 GT2 RS that shaves 0.2 seconds off of the supercar’s 0 to 100 km/h sprint time.

The tuner’s upgrades are concentrated on the 3.6-liter six-cylinder boxer engine which receives a remapped engine controller, optimised turbochargers, a sport air-filter, new air-intake and a valve-controlled sport exhaust system along with sport catalysts.

All that tweaking adds up to a new total output of 517 kW and 810 Nm of torque previously 462 kW.

In terms of performance the sprint time now comes in at 3.3 seconds and the Wimmer RS GT2 RS hits 200 km/h in just 9.5 seconds. Top speed has been increased to a death-wish 356 km/h.

It’s an elegantly shot video with professional drivers putting the exotic metal through its paces. Will the GT3’s precise German engineering be enough to fend off the Raging Bull? You’ll have to watch the video below to find out. But there is certainly something awesome about seeing the latest European supercars skid along cobblestone Parisian streets.

Rumours of a smaller Porsche SUV have been circulating the web for years now but Porsche has finally ended speculation and officially green-lighted its entry-level Cajun crossover.

Designed to increase sales volumes and attract new, younger customers, the Cajun will be an “efficient and sporty model” with design goals of “typical Porsche features such as light weight, ease of handling and agility.” The new crossover will share a platform with the Audi Q5 and feature styling influenced by VW design boss Walter de’ Silva. It will be given sportier themes and priced around five to ten percent higher than the Audi.

The Cajun is expected to be launched in 2014 and will be a direct and fierce competitor for the Mercedes GLK, BMW X3, and Land Rover Evoque.

Ten cars, ranging from mainstream models from Japan and Korea through to exclusive European luxury machines have been selected as finalists for the 2010 New Zealand Car of the Year Award.

Voted for annually by more than three dozen established motoring journalists, each of whom is a member of the New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild, the award is the country’s most comprehensive. It is also the most respected by the car industry itself, being the embodiment of the opinions of experts representing every automotive medium.

This includes the motoring sections of the country’s major daily and weekly newspapers, several automotive websites, car and lifestyle magazines, and a number of radio and television outlets.

Over several months, the Guild’s Car of the Year committee has assembled its shortlist of finalists, which has been selected from all new models launched in New Zealand during the 12 months prior to 1 November 2009.

The cars on the 2010 shortlist include (in alphabetical order) the new Audi A5, the latest iteration of the BMW 5-series, Hyundai’s recently launched iX35 small SUV, the radical new Jaguar XJ saloon, and the Kia Sportage SUV. A pair of Peugeots — the striking new RCZ sport car and 3008 crossover – have also made the cut as finalists, as has the second-generation Porsche Cayenne, the Skoda Yeti mini-SUV and Suzuki’s first full-sized saloon, the Kizashi.

Porsche has just pulled the covers off its all-new 2011 Cayman R, the latest variant of the German automaker’s two-seat sports coupe. Unveiled at the LA Auto Show this morning the Cayman uses the letter “R” which in the Porsche alphabet is reserved exclusively for very special models.

The new, lightweight, mid-engined coupe is designed for spectacular road dynamics and exhilarating driving. This is achieved by reducing weight, increasing engine output and retuning the chassis for an even sportier set-up.

The new Cayman R is 55 kilograms lighter than the Cayman S and gains 8 kW to bring maximum power up to 243 kW from its 3.4-liter six-cylinder boxer engine. With the standard six-speed manual gearbox it will accelerate from 0—100 km/h in just 5.0 seconds. With optional double clutch PDK gearbox the sprint time is reduced to 4.9 secs, or down to 4.7 secs when combined with optional Sport Chrono.

The new mid-engine coupe is capable of a top speed of 282 km/h with manual gearbox, or 280 km/h with PDK. Its fuel consumption is 9.7 L/100 km with six-speed gearbox and 9.3 L/100 km with PDK.

As automotive efficiency becomes more and more important for all car makers, even hardcore sportscar manufacturers have decided to look at providing more efficient speed. Now, in a bold move, Porsche has taken it one step further, committing to a hybrid version of each of its model lines in an attempt to get its average CO2 emissions down to 216 g/km by 2015 (from the current 255 g/km).

“In the future, we will have hybrid drive in every model line,” Porsche’s development chief Wolfgang Duerheimer, said in a recent press conference.

After the hybrid Cayenne and the upcoming Panamera hybrid is released, Porsche is set to up the ante with the hybrid 918 Spyder (pictured) as a halo car to get attention and learn more about the new path the company is taking.

Other efficiency-raising efforts also include a 10-percent reduction in weight, increased use of carbon fibre bodywork and there’s even talk of returning to four-cylinder engines in some models, likely with forced induction and direct injection.

“If the CO2 guidelines require it, then our engines will become smaller and may have just four cylinders,” Duerheimer said. “The important thing is that the performance has to be right. The 911 must always be on the cutting edge.”